Last two Dillo routes shutting down

Capital Metro had proposed a fair increase for January, however, instead of pursuing that, they are eliminating the remaining Dillo routes. The Dillos will be permanently discontinued on Friday, Oct. 2.

The previously approved additional fare increases for August 2010 will raise fares to $1 for a one way trip and $2 for a day pass.

For 25 years Capital Metro operated without an increase in bus fares. Then, because of budget shortfalls, caused largely in part to decreased sales tax revenue, fares were raised last October.

"No one likes to pay more for the services they use, but I think most riders also recognize the incredible value they are receiving, even with the increase. Capital Metro still has one of the lowest fares in the country," a representative of Capital Metro, Erica McKewen said.

With a $164 million operating budget, and a projected 5 percent decrease in tax revenue in 2010, they began looking for ways to operate in budget. Early public reaction to a fair raising proposal for January 2010 was not good, and the board of directors decided to find other ways to meet their economic needs.

Money obtained through the economic recovery act is being used to help counter the shortfall, along with some other alternatives to raising fares twice in 2010, including, a continuing hiring freeze, wage freeze for administrative employees, and postponing purchases of new buses.

Some minor schedule reductions are planned for January 2010

"It will certainly be a lean year for us next year, but we're fortunate to be able to use federal stimulus money to help us balance the books, rather than passing those costs on to customers through a January fare increase."

Stopping Dillo services is another attempt at balancing the budget. Ridership on the two routes still in service peaked in 2003, and has been decreasing ever since.

McKewen added, "It doesn't make economical sense to operate routes that carry just eight passengers per hour. Fortunately there are several other routes that serve the downtown area, so few customers will be adversely affected by the suspension of the Dillos."